Filter Size *

Description

We are happy to announce that we have finally developed our own photography grade UV transmitting bandpass filter! This filter pairs with a full spectrum converted camera for true UV photography. Read our UV photography articles for lens considerations and general advice for shooting UV successfully.

Great for photography, skin damage analysis, forensic analysis, astrophotography, and other uses.

Unlike other UV filters on the market which are interference coating based, we have developed our filters using absorption based glass. The efficacy of interference coatings depends on the angle of incidence, meaning that transmission characteristics change depending on the angle of the light rays. This may be fine for use with a telescope, where there incoming light is very parallel, but for general photography this causes problems with inconsistent color across the frame. Those familiar with our hot-mirror’s may recall the issues with earlier interference based hot-mirrors.

Our filter has a 50% transmission peak at 365nm, and >25% transmission between 340-380 for high total light transmission. Average out of band rejection is >OD 4.3 (0.005%), with a minimum rejection of>3.5OD (0.025%), meaning there is a high signal to noise ratio and no IR contamination.

Our UV filter is coated for durability. Uncoated UV glass is sensitive to oxidation when exposed to humidity, ruining the filter. Due to the thickness of the glass, the filter is only threaded on one side only.

When comparing Kolari Vision’s filter to my existing B+W 403 & S8612 stack, it renders UV in a very similar way – same colour cast – however the exposure times are noticeably shorter with KV’s filter, since KV’s UV filter does not cut as much UV as the B+W 403 & S8612 combo.

The only (minor) drawback with this filter is that there is no internal thread (probably due to the thickness of the glass) which means that I cannot put my lens cap on when this filter is in place, in order to prevent dust from getting onto the filter. For that reason, I give it 4/5 stars.